The week kicks off with a rare home back-to-back with the Jazz visiting Staples Center on Monday on Prime Ticket starting at 7 p.m.
It's actually the second time in this young season that the Clippers have played in Staples Center on consecutive nights. However, the first time around they were the hosts one night and the visitors the next against the Lakers. Additionally, it'll be the team's fourth game in five nights. The Clippers will play their first game of the season outside of Staples Center on Wednesday when they visit the Warriors. Golden State is 3-0 entering Monday. The Trail Blazers then come to town on Saturday.
All games this week can be seen on Prime Ticket.
The week behind
The Clippers haven't looked sharp but they were able to get a win in the season opener last Thursday against the Thunder who were without Kevin Durant and eventually Russell Westbrook as well, who left the game with a fractured bone in his right hand. The game against the Lakers was much closer than anticipated and the lackluster play finally caught up to the Clippers during Sunday in a matinee at Staples against the Kings. Sacramento outscored the Clippers 28-18 in the fourth quarter to hand Lob City its first loss of the season.
Record and standings
The Clippers enter Monday 2-1 on the season and one of seven teams in the west with one loss following the season's first week. In the Pacific Division, Golden State is all alone at 3-0 followed by the Kings, Clippers, and Suns, respectively. All three teams are 2-1 and ahead of the winless Lakers.
Thumb's up
Blake Griffin has proven, in the first week at least, to not be afraid of the foul line. In both wins for the team this season, Griffin found himself at the free throw line late in the game and calmly sank two key free throws against the Thunder and two more the next night against the Lakers.
Thumb's down
It's been a tough start to the season from the field for J.J. Redick. The Clippers sharpshooter shot just 21.1 percent in the team's first three games and just 15.4 percent from beyond the arc.
Player to watch
Minus a tough shooting performance Sunday, Griffin looked every bit the MVP candidate many expect him to be in the first week of the season. Griffin is averaging 31 points through the first three games of the season. He had 23 in the season opener against the Thunder and 39 in 39 minutes against the Lakers.
Stat to watch
Rebounding hasn't been great. The Clippers have been outrebounded by 29 through three games, including a 107-73 deficit on the defensive backboards to start the season.
